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Ritter Expansion Project Underway
Library trustees and staff are busy working on the next steps in Ritter’s building expansion project.
Voters approved the project in November. After waiting six weeks for the results of the election to be certified, the board of trustees' first step was to agree to continue working with architects from CBLH Design of Cleveland.
CBLH developed initial drawings for the expansion, which will increase the size of the library by 65 percent by adding on the east side of the main building. Trustees are working out the specifics of a contract for the rest of the work, which will include detailed designs, engineering and construction.
Other projects by CBLH include an addition to Wadsworth Public Library and a new library building in Twinsburg. The firm also assisted with an addition to Lakewood Public Library which was completed last year.
“This is exciting for me,” said Trustee Lynda Wakefield, “because this is the second building project I’ve been involved with for Ritter. It’s fun to be able to plan the new space and see new services added.” Wakefield has been a trustee for more than 20 years.
Janet Springer, Ritter’s fiscal officer, has been working on the legal steps involved in issuing bonds for the project.
Voters approved the bond issue, which will generate $3.5 million over 28 years to finance the job.
Springer is working with Amy Hendricks, treasurer for Vermilion Local Schools, which is the funding agent for the library, to interview and select a bond underwriting firm.
Director Janet Ford said it will take about eight months for the design phase, and then about a year for construction to be completed.
The annex building east of the library will be torn down to make room for the addition. However, it will be open at least through the summer.
2/10/08
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